Welcome
to my Gospel of Mark Series. During 2012-13, each week, I will write a
post about the Gospel of Mark as I review and explore each of the 16
chapters and how it may be applied in our daily lives. My goal is to
understand and pray the Gospel of Mark. I hope you will join me on this
journey as we travel through the liturgical season of Year B. In
today's post, we explore chapter 1:16-20 which is Jesus calls the first disciples.
After the identity of Jesus himself, the response of the disciples is the second key factor in Mark's Gospel. Two questions continually challenge us. Who is Jesus? What is the response to Him?
The decisive element in this passage is the call of Jesus, not the response of the two pairs of brothers. Nothing is said about the qualities of the men He calls or their suitability to be companions with Him on His mission. Jewish disciples sought out a master to study under Him for a time, but Jesus Himself seeks out followers. He does not call them to study, but to be with Him always. By following Him they observe His work, listen to His teaching and begin to be challenged by Him.
Simon and Andrew are casting into the lake. Jesus calls them to be different type of fishermen. They are to leave their nets and follow Him. The disciples are called to be with Jesus and to share His mission. A little further aloong the lakeshore, James and John are mending their nets. They too are called and respond at once. A change in relations with their families and in their customary way of working is singled out in the few details Mark mentions. To follow Jesus as disciples means leaving many familiar things behind. The unexpected call of the four fishermen is like the call of Ellisha by Elijah (I Kings 19:19-21).
Following Jesus in Mark means more than physical companionship. It is feeling the costly challenges of the new liberating power Jesus brings to the world. Nor will it always be easy attraction and instant response . There are shocks in store for the disciples.
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